Power plant



March 7, 1933. w, H. HARsTlcK 1,900,058

` PQWER PLANT Filed May l5, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l HllllullhllhllhATTORNEY March 7, 1933. w, H HARSTICK 1,900,058

POWER PLANT Filed May l5, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY PWM.7. lacs UNITED s-frA'rss Lemiers'v PATENT doar-lcs winmix.

Y 1 RUSTICI, I BELOIT, WISCONSIN, ABSIGNQB T0 l' IOBBI O0., 0l' CHICAGO,ILLINOIS, A WBPOBATIGN 0l' ILLINOIS rom Fmr Application lied. lay 15,1980. Serial Ic. 452,060. 1

This invention relates to improvements in power lants comprising d amomachines driven y internal combustion engines, and more particularly tomeans for controlling 5 the electric systems of power'plants of theclass described.

An object of the rovide means where y a single control ects allnecessary starting adJustments,

lowing the closing of a startin switch.

A further object is to provi e an improved reverse current cut-out inassemblies Where the en ine operates a generator for charging secon abatteries, the reverse current cutresent invention is to effolout or reay operatin to open a charging circuit upon reversal o the current inthe sysl A further object is an im roved combina tion of switching meansan reversevcurrent relay, with means for mechanically locking the relayin the closed position, corresponding to certain positions of theswitching means, and independently of the electrical eifects. s

In existing t of power plants, where the engine is use with dynamomachines in connection with secondary batteries, it is customary toreverse the direction of current, to utilize the generator as a motor tostart or crank the engine. In the present device, a single manualcontrol accomplishes Y. all necessar starting adjustments by movement ofa ever provided for this purpose, and which is operated following theclosing of a starting' switch. I As soon as the engine operates underits own power, the reverse current relay establishes the necessarycircuit relations for ignition purposes and subsev quent reversal ofcurrent in the system, ex- 40 cept for starting purposes, opens therelay to break the circuit to avoid unintended discharge of thesecondary batteries. This oc` curs whenever the plant may stop, say forlack of fuel, while the batteries are being charged. The advantages thusderived from the present unit V'control of an entire engine and dynamoassembly, will be apparent .especially in the cases of small units inthe hands of inexperienced operators. The referred device has a minimumnumber o moving `3 indicates, diagrammatically,

parts and wearin points and results in a neat, compact an practicallytrouble-proof assembly. n It wil of course, be understood that thepresent detailed description and the accompanying drawings relate to asingle preferred executional embodiment of the invention, and thatsubstantial changes may be made in the described construction andarrangement of arts without departing from the spirit an full intendedscope of the invention.v

Further objects and advanta es will ap- .pear from the following detailedescription of parts and the accompanying drawings, 1n which:

Fig; 1 shows diagrammatically an internal combustion engine and dynamounit, to which a preferred form-of the present improvements are applied;Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a preferred form of switch panelhoard andcontrol mechanism, showing the control mechanism in .the oil position;Fig. the positions of various parts of the device, 'in the startposition of` the switch; Fig. 4 indicates diagrammatically the positionsof various arts of the control mechanism, in a succeedin'g position, inwhich the engine controls are positioned to start firing, and theignition circuit closed; Fig. 5 indicates `diagram-v matically thepositions of parts of the control device, in the high position, orimmediatelv after the priming lever has been released; Fig. 6 indicatesdiagrammatically the positions of certain parts of the control. means,in the belt position, in which the full wi er of the engine is availablefor power-- riving purposes; Fig. 7 isa side elevation of a preferredform of reverse current relay, showing a detail of the mechanical meansfor interlocking the relay in the closed position, and Fig. 8 1s adiagram showing the various circuit relations of the switch, generator,reverse current cut-out and ignition system, in position to eiectstarting of the plgnt. f

The device hereinafter descri d may be'Y used .in connection with la.,Auwer lant assembly, such as is described in-'detail-in a co ndinapplication `.cfgAdolph,lltosuie' -q-viiled eoem r 16, .1927 and.bearing Serialj-'Norl order 1o 1 v spondin shown, A portion represents,

with a carbure- 26 is operatively associat rimin device, and

tor throttle yvalve and a is arranged, upon parta rotation by means alever 50, at time of starting they engine, to set the Valve and primingmeans in the proper positions for startiu purposes. In bettertocoordinate t e operation of the shaft 26 and lever 50 of the abovementioned application with that of the correparts in the presentapplication, the same re erence numerals have been preserved.

Referring by numerals tothe drawings, 10 enerally, an internalcombustion engine whic in the present example, is di` .rect-connected toa dynamo 11, (Fig. 1). A

control shaft 26 is carried by means of bearings or brackets 12 securedto the engine 10. This shaft is provided with levers 13 and 14 whichare'arranged to engage members 15 and 16 respectively operativelyassociated r with an engine throttle valve and a priming shown). Partialrotation of the' device, (not shaft 26 b means of a manual control lever50,' secure to the shaft 26, adjusts for starting purposes, thecarbureting apparatusand the priming means o f the engine, insubstantially the same manner as rotation of the cor-i.

responding shaft described in the above mentioned'co endin application-v A' pre erredA orm of switch panel 17- is (Figs. 1 and 2), attached toa frame of the power plant, and this panel serves as an enclosure and suport `for the mechanism hereinafter described. A portion 18 of the lever50 extends through and minating in anose mountedA .sulating beyond aslotted portion 19 provided 1in the panel 17,l the opposite end of thelever ter- 0 portion 20. The lever 50 is normally held in contact with awall portion of the slot' 19 by means of a sprin 21. A rotary multiplecontact switch 22 is on the switch panel, and includes a rotor portionl23 preferably formed of inthe inner side with a metal contactingsegspring pressed (not shown) to impinge upon stationary contactterminals 25, 28, 29, 30 50 tionsprovided u for the andr31. The switchrotor 23 is arranged to rotate with ani ition switch rotor or conyconcentric with the memcommon shaft 33, so bers rotatable together Theignition switch rotor 32 is provided with a pluralityA of notches ordepressions 34, in

the present example three such notches beg te provided.A It will,however, be underst that a greatervor less number of notches may beused, depending upon the' different posimultiple-contact The notches 34'are adapted tol swi tch -roto .V switch 46, and is ada ted 'to provide amaterial, and which is provided on selected groups of .(Fig. 3) for apurpose arm is brought into register with the notches 34, at whicterrupted. The multi le contact switch mxy be rotated manua y by meansof'a han le 36 secured to shaft 33, in order selectively to establishthe various electrical circuit relations hereinafter appearing. Inconnection with the handle 36 or aixed thereto, is a pointer l37 showndiagrammatically in Fig. 8, which cooperates with switch positionindicators 38, Vwhich are referabl fixed at points designated on theront of t e switch panel, or on some other exposed surface. The inter 37cooperatin with the Position indicators, provides a visi le index o theposition of the switch rotor.

The switch rotor time the ignition circuit is vin- 23 is provided with a35, which makes cony notch 39 which2 whenv the rotor is rotated tothestart position, otall connected to an arml41 which `is carried i y theshaft 26. A roller 42 is rotatably mounted on a pin 77 which also servesto connect the arm 41 and link 40. Counterclockwise rotation of ltheswitch rotor 23 (Fig. 2)- causes the arm 41, by means of the engagementof the link 40 with'the notch 39, to rotate until the' roller 42 ridesinto a depression 43 provided y 44 securely attached to the panel-17.The member 44 is provided wih a contact member 45 which constitutes aportion of the' to engage contact 47 to close a hereinafter a pear.

A spring 48 is connected between the ink 40 and the arm 41 in order snapaction for opening and closing the switch 46, which as appears consistsof contacts 45 and 47. This spring also maintains the link 40 always incontact with .the peri hery ofthe rotor 23.

The osing of the switch in the manner above described causes a lugportion 49 on, the arm 41 to engae a projection 51 provided on the lever50.v urther counter-clockwise movement'of the switch rotor 23, causesthe switch 46 to snap rinto closed position, and produces a partialrotation -oi Athe shaft 26 in I eferring particularly vto Fig.-8 whichis a 'diagrammatic illustration of the arrangef ment of the circuits, 11indicates adynamo,

and operwhich may be of any y suitable type, atively arranged withrespect tothe 10, as shown in F' ry of any suitab e sort, for example alead and acid t storage battery. Anammeter -as-shown at 53, to enablevobservais provide tion of the rates of chai-ge andfdischarge of thestorage battery. This` ammeter may be located on the switch board `17along with engages a link 40 piv-A a fixed. attery circuit, as will' ona resilient member hereinafter appeary y the other instruments andcontrols.. A reverse current relay 54 includes a current coil 55preferably of high specific ca acity which may be attained by winding tis coil of a paper-insulated copper band 56 havin substantially the samewidth as that of the entire spool. A voltage coil 57 of an conventionatype is included in the re ay. The coils 55 and 57 are, by referencemounted on a base 58 attached to t e panel 17 (F' 2 and areinterconnected by a member 59 w 'c is provided with acontact 60. Anarmature member 61 provided with a contact member 62, is pivotallyattached to the base 58 by means of a pin 63. A spring 64 is provided tobreak circuit between the contacts 60 and 62. The armature member 61 isprovided with an arm 65 which extends beyond the 2o base 58 and isadapted, at times, toengage a proviged oiifhe switch'rotor 23 for a.pur'- pose ereina r a pearing.

T-he dynamo 11 11;, by preference, provided with a shunt field 67 and aseries field 68. The fields are in such circuit relation with themachine and terminals of the switch 22, as to enable their useseparately, or to enable the use of the dynamo as a compound machine. vShunt field resistances 69 may beselectively interposed'to provide acontrol of the charging rate, when the plant is used with secondarybatteries. The legs of the line circuit are shown at 7 0...

A simple and preferred form of ignition circuit is shown in Fig. 8 andcomprises a coil 71, timer 72and a spark plug 73. In the case ofmulti-cylinder units, a distributor, and several of the spark pl will belocated a in the high tension circuit om the coil. 'A

protective fuse 74 may be located in the circuit in order to reventexcessive current from entering the ignition s stem.

The operation of this device has been renl so dered entirely automaticexcept for a simple starting operation, consisting iirst, in closingswitch 23 by manual rotation, and secondl in depressing the lever 50.

en the plant is to be started, the multio ple contact switch 23 isrotated counterp clockm as f as posslble to the start .the fluxes of thetwo coils therefore oppose I position. This movement causes the notch 39on the rotor body 23 to engage the outermost end of link 40, and to movethe arm 41' 55 carrying the roller 42. Prior to this movement 'thespring 48 has been stretched or tensioned, .with the result that whenythe roller passes a projection 75 'on the member 44, the

roller quickly. rides or snaps'into the depresao sion 43 bythe tensionintheex'ible Amember 44, thus snapping the switch 46 into its'closedposition, and thereby establishing the dyna- Imo circuit through thisswitch, to cause vthe dynamo to function as a motor to start crankingthe engine. Intliis position of the multiface cam member 66 ofinsulating material,

ple contact switch 23 the ignition circuit is open, since the flexible'arm 35 is disposedin a notch portion 34 ofthe rotor (Fig. 3).` In thestart position of the switch, thel contacting segment 24 engagesterminals 27 28, 1.70 29, and 31, tol interconnect portions of thecircuit hereinafter described. At this time, the switch 46 is closed asabove described, closing the circuit from the battery 52 to the dynamo11 causing it to function as a; 75 motor.

As lsoon as the plant'has been brought ug to starting speed on thebattery circuit, han lever 50 is ressed down (Fig. 4). The shaft 26 isthere y partially rotated affecting the;8o carbureting and primingdevices of the engine in the same manner as the rotation of thecorresponding shaft described in detail in the-above mentioned copendinapplication, i. e., the air inlet is choke and an.; auxiliary primingfuel injected for starting the engine. The downward movement o thehandlever also causes the end 20 of the lever 50 to engage a projection76 on the switch rotor 32, thereby rotating rotor 3.2,'.90 rotor 23 andthe shaft 33, clockwise, into the high` position, (Fig. 8). In thisposition the ilex'ible arm 35 of the i nitionswitch is caused to ride un the'surface of the rotor 32, and to close t e ignitioncircuit, andcaus\. 95 ing the en ine to start firing. In the high position, t econtacting segment 24 engages terminals 28, 29, 30 and 31. Shunt fieldre sistances 69 are shorted out when the rotor isl in this osition, andthe dynamo func-10 tions as a s unt wound generator. The current may beused for ignition or line, as well as for the purpose of charging thebattery.

As long-as the plant is being supplied with battery current through theclosed switchc .,105 46, i. e.,-when the dynamo 11 is operating as amotor, the relay 54 remains open. This relay operates according to aknown principle of reverse-current relays, so that when the batterycurrent fiows backward or o posite to its normal direction through t e vcurrent coil 55, the magneticiiux induced by the latter opposes the fluxinduced by the volta coil 57, he latter coil never changing olarity.During reversal ofthe current,=;

each other to such an extent that the spring 64 is able to withdraw thearmature 61, to open this leg of the circuit. During the inotoringperiod, the relay 54 therefore remains.:120 open because of insuicientenergization of the voltage coil 57. It will be apparent that thecurrent from the battery is flowing through the series coil 55, on whicha negligibly small eiect is beingproduced, and thence through thevoltage coil 57 in adirection such as would close the relay if thevoltage were high enough. But in the presentv example, the battery doesnot producesucient voltage while motoring the dynamq 13 the switch 5preaching running speed. As the'spee l apparent that when enginefueLcontrols in 35 atin position, as described in the above cop positionwith w 5.. nwin be u and throu l1 relay assured.

to have any eiect on the relay. Fi 4 4 6 is still closed andthe p ant isbeing motored on the battery;the ignition circuit being closed and theenginedapo `the engine increases, 4builds up which in turn reverses thedirection of current and charges the batte through the closed switch 46.It will be in the charging circuit, the relay 54 is close and that t isclosure is vprior to the openin of the switch n Fig. 5 hand 1e'ver'50isshown as havl5 ing been released, and being returned under the influenceof the spring 21. The projection 51 on the lever 50 impmges upon the lug49 on the arm 41 and rotates this arm clock'- wise to withdraw theroller 42 from the de-4 th a0 pression 43 to break contact between partsof the switch 46. This return movementof lever 50 results in acorresponding rotatlon of the shaft 26, which serves to place allv thepen in appllcation, and the, dynamo-continues to be driven by theengine, yand the switch mechanism may remain in the hilgh the partsappearing as in ig. y p arent that when the switch 46 is opened, as a vedescribed, lthe full genl erator Avoltageis applied to the vvoltage coil57, and as alllotherlead on the generator l has been dro pcd, thegenerator voltage risesl to a value su cient to enable the voltage coil.to close the relay 54. When this occurs, the

' contacts 60 and 62 of the relay re-establish connection with thebattery into which a considerable current flows from the generator theseriesl coil. The powerful effect of t e series coil is added to that ofthe voltage p In the low position of the switch *'23, not

specifically illustrated in the drawings, the

es terminals 29,

contacting segment 24 engag 30 and 31. The ignition circuit and relay 54remain closed, and the dynamo still functions as a generator. Shuntfield resistance 69 is now in series with vthe shunt field -67 of thedynamo thus greatl reducing the terminal voltage and providing amoderate rate of charging. It will ap and 8), that the terminal 29 1sdivided, with 55 one part connected into the shunt field resistance 69,and with the other part constituting an end terminal of thisresistance'. It

. .1s preferred that, withv the switch in the low position, the segment24 engages only 50 the latter portion of the terminal, so that the fullresistance may be interposed.

In the stcp sition of the switch 23, (not specifica y shbwn), thecontacting segment 24 engages only the terminals 30 and 31.

`The engine is inoperative because the ignithe generator voltage 3 y y-When it is desiredto employ the gretter ry part of the engine power formechanical drivthe voltage 'builds u A their normal opercoil andpositive closure of the 2 pear (Figs. 2A

treme simplification tion switch rotor one of the notches 34 fallsopposite the contact arm 85, and opened the ignition circuit. Current isavaila le from the battery to the line, tlrough contact 80, segment 24and contact mg purposes, the switch is lacedgin the belt osition (notspeciiical y.appearing) in whic the contacting segment lengages ter-.minals 25, 30 and 31. The battery supplies the'ignition and linecurrent,

Itwill-'ap ear belt postiono the 32 has been lso rotated that l K andthe engine l.has the greater part of its power `available series andshunt fields are both 'in .Y

' course vessential to relayto prevent the contacts 60 and 62 fromseparating. This Aindependentof any of the relay coils.

In Fi 6, or in the linei position of the mechanical expedient is switche ements, the contacting segment has,-

en rotated to a position where 1t engages terminals '25,27 and 31.4 Theignition circuit 1s kept closed'in'echanically by the impingement of arm65 of the relay 54, upon the cam 66. The'dynamo functions as a compoundgenerator to maintain a constant line voltage of substantial value, areboth fully effective, the resistance 69 having been shorted by bridgicontacts 25 and This current is usedl irectly for ignition and lineload, as the batterycircuit is open, being, in this situation,incomplete between contacts30 and 31. Y In theV oi position vof theswitch, all circuits are open, since the segment 24 enga es onlyterminals 25, 2'? and 28, being thus 1neifective to close an oftheindividual battary-generator circuits. The i ition circuit is also open,since in this switcgnposition, the arm 35 registers with one of thenotches 34. The particular construction of the switch, and thearrangement of the switch terminals, in the described example, providefor exof the various circuits, and result in a simple switchingmechanism which isv particularly adapted for power plant use 1nconnection with a mechanical uel control arrangement and with theautomatic reverse current cut-out.

Obviously, many features of the switch mechanism, terminals,connections, circuits, reverse current relay, as well as the manualstarting control means, may be varied subelectromagnetic functionv sincethe fields l67 and 68' l ing a seconda stantially without departure fromthe scope and full intendment of this invention.

I clai-m as my invention: 1. Inadynamoelectric power Klantemploybattery, a switc having a rotary contact isc for selectivelyeffecting a pluralit of circuit relations between the battery an plant,a reverse-current relay in circuit with the batter and mechanical meansfor actuating the re ay responsively to a predetermined position of thecontact disc, said means including a cam carried by the disc, and alever in operative relation to the relay,

' and disposed in the path of movement of said cam. d 2. In a powerplant including an engine, a

e for establishing various predetermined circuit relations between thebattery and dynamo, a starting switch, a manual control lever associatedwith the starting switch, a manual control member for said selectorswitch, and means, includin said control member, for operativelyrelating said starting switch lever and said selector switch, anelectromagnetic switching means associated ywith the selector switch andin circuit relation between the d namo and battery.

3. In a power p ant including an en 'ne, a

dynamo and battery, a selector switc and.,

associated conductors arranged for selectively establishin each of alurality of circuits between the ynamo an battery, a reverse currentrelay in circuit relation with the battery and-dynamo, a startingswitch, distinct vfrom the selector switch, for closing a circuitbetween said battery and dynamo, a manual control element, and meansincluding said selector switch, rmitting the starting switch to be openeand circuit relation to be established through the relay, responsive toa movement of said manual control element.

4. In a power plant including an engine,

a dynamo and a battery, a selector switch arran for establishing variouspredetermine circuit relations between the-dynamo and battery, astarting switch distinct from t the selector switch, and having a manualoperating element, means voperatively relating said element and selectors witch lin certain positions of the selector switch, a reverse currentrelay, and means including portions of the selector switch for normallymaintaining said relay and 'starting switch in rela'- tively oppositeswitch positions. f

5. In a power plant including an en 'ne,

a. dynamoand a battery, a selector switc arranged to elfectpredetermined circuit relations between the dynamo and battery, astarting switch, a manual control lever therefor having an operative andan inoperative position'and adapted upon movement to operative position-to actuate said selector switch, an electro-magnetically operatedswitch, and means whereby said last named amo and battery, a selectorswitch adaptswitch is mechanically kept in closed position` when saidmanual control lever is in its inoperative position.

6. In a power plant including an engine, a dynamo and a battery, anelectro-magnetic switch adapted for controlling the direction of currentbetween the dynamo and battery, control means dis common axis, sai meansincluding a selector switch member adapted upon rotation to establishpredetermined circuit relations between the dynamo and battery, arotatable ignition switch member, and a cam adapted in certain positionsof said rotatable means mechanically to position said electro-magneticswitch.

dynamo and a battery, a switch having a rotatable contact disc, andassociated fixed contacts for selectivel establishing predeterminedcircuit relations between the dynamo 7 In a power plant including anengine, a

Afor rotation about a ldynamo-battery circuit, and a cam carried by saidrotatable disc, adapted to actuate aid relay, in predetermined positionsof said isc. A

8. In a power plant includin an engine, a dynamo and a attery,;-'a mutiple contact switch arranged for -establishin predetermined circuitrelations between t e dynamo and battery, said switch including a rotarycontact member; a reverse current relay, a i

shaft arranged for control of the fuel system of the en ino, and meansfoi` selectively causing said el control shaft to actuate said rotarycontactmember, when said member is in certain positions, and' means foractuating -the reverse current relay to open and close a circuittherethrough, by movement of the contact member, in certain otherpositions o said member.

9. -In a power plant including an en 'ne, a dynamo and a battery, aselector switc arranged for establishing predetermined circuit relationsbetween the dynamo and battery, a starting switch separate from theselector switch, said selector switch being adapted for operation toestablish a circuit between said battery and dynamo through both of saidswitches, and a manual control starting switch in inoperative position.

10. In combination with a power plant including an engine, dynamo andbattery, a control panel, a selector switchy including a rotary elementand fixed contacts adjacent the panel, a starting switch including atoggle operating mechanism havingone leg disposed for operativeengagement by the selector switch rotor, an engine fuel-control shaftextending beyond the `panel and rotatably another leg `of the togglemechanism, and a manual control element associat- .ed with said fuelcontrol shaft and having a member adapted normally to maintain said Vlost motion connectionv with one arm of said toggle mechanism.

k11. In a control device for a power plant including van\engine, dynamoand battery controls for the engine, a control shaft ar,-

the engine controls for starting, `a manual control member carried bysaid shaft, and 'adapted for limited partial rotation between operativeand im'iperative positions, aselcctor switcli in circuitrelation'between the dynamo and battery and adapted to -be actuated bysaid manual control member when said member is in an operative position,a starting switch distinct -from the selector switch', aswitch-actuating .device arranged to move the starting switch intoclosed position, upon a predetermined movement o the selector switch,said actuating device being operatively associated with said manualcontrol element -for movement toward switch opening position, as saidcontrol member is moved from operative to inoperative position.

12. In combination in a ,power plant including an engine, dynamo andbattery, a control panelboard, an engine f'uel control shaft extendingbeyond the 'panelboard andadaptedv to efect an engine fuel controldurlng the starting period, a manualcontrol `member carried by` saidshaft adjacent the panelboardfa starting lswitch ncludin a ltoggleswitch-"operating mechanism having one leg rotatably carried bysaidshaft, a multiple contact selector switch including fixed contactscarried by the panelboard, a switch rotor having a contact segmentrotatable into selective engagement with said fixed contacts, saidrotor, in certain switch positions, kbeing operatively associated withone leg of the toggle mechanism of said starting switch, an ignitionswitchincluding a rotatable member associated with the I.selector switchrotor, a reverse current relay carried by the panelboard and means formechanically actuating said relay in certain vpositions of the selectorswitch, said means including an actuating arm extendin from the relayand a face camcarried by t e selector switch rotor, and adapted incertain ositions theref of to engage said arm for mec anically main.-taining the relay in closed position independently of its eelctricalenergization.

WuLIAM H. HARsTIcK.

t 'amm ranged to-be manually positioned to adjust

